Deacon Application
Deacons Exist to Assist the Elders with the Care of God’s Church
The Word “Deacon” (diakonos)
Three Primary Renderings: Servant, Minister, Deacon
"And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:2–4 (ESV)
We believe that Acts 6 provides a great starting place for the person desiring to serve the Church in this capacity. From this text it is important to note that the church existed before the role of deacon. This means that the role of deacon forms around the vision and needs of the Church and not the other way around. We believe that there is freedom in discerning how the office of deacon can best serve the body. After the need was made clear the Apostles gave the people three primary qualities to consider as they selected the men to serve in the specific role needed at the time. They were to be: of good repute, full of the Spirit, and full of wisdom.
We believe that Acts 6 provides a great starting place for the person desiring to serve the Church in this capacity. From this text it is important to note that the church existed before the role of deacon. This means that the role of deacon forms around the vision and needs of the Church and not the other way around. We believe that there is freedom in discerning how the office of deacon can best serve the body. After the need was made clear the Apostles gave the people three primary qualities to consider as they selected the men to serve in the specific role needed at the time. They were to be: of good repute, full of the Spirit, and full of wisdom.
Below is a short word study to use as a tool in considering how this would play out in one’s life.
“...of good repute...”
- “repute” - (martyreo) - clear testimony / life giving / others oriented / burden lifter
- the fruit of one’s life affirmed in the congregation
- the testimony about Christ being confirmed in you (1 Corinthians 1:6)
..."full of the Spirit...”
- Stephen, full of the Spirit, saw the glory of God and Jesus (Acts 7:55)
- Barnabas, full of the Spirit, saw the grace of God and rejoiced (Acts 11:23-24)
- A life consumed with the Glory of God...the glory of His grace...in the face of our Lord Jesus (John 15:26; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 1:4-6)
- A life devoted to the glory of Jesus as Savior and Lord (Philippians 3:8-9)
“...and of wisdom...”
- An understanding of the righteous and holy ways of God (Spirit-given spiritual minds to understand Spiritual ways) 1 Corinthians 2:13
- A life lived in such understanding (a doer of the Word) James 1:22
- A life worthy of being imitated (follow me as I follow Christ) 1 Corinthians 11:1
Here at ARCC, deacons are commissioned primarily to lead a specific ministry or a gospel community (GC).
Apply
Please fill out the application using the link below. Once submitted, an elder will reach out to set up an appointment to meet with you.